EVERYONE had a ball as the owners and employees of a Middlewich hotel raised nearly £1,400 for the Cancer Unit Appeal at Leighton Hospital.

They staged a grand charity ball at the Sandhurst Hotel hosted by owners Rowena and Steve Moore. The evening also featured an auction and raffle.

Among the items going under the hammer were a signed and framed Manchester United shirt, a flight in a light aircraft over Cheshire and a clay pigeon shoot in North Wales.

The hotel chefs also donated their services for the auction, offering to prepare a dinner for two in the winner's home.

Organiser Jackie Platt said: 'We wanted to do something to raise money for the appeal because we know people who have to travel to Manchester for chemotherapy treatment and that will be avoided once the new unit is built at Leighton Hospital.'

The appeal aims to raise £1m locally to fund the state-of-the-art cancer centre.

Fundraiser Alice Edmond said: 'The ball at the Sandhurst Hotel was a great success. Everyone had a great time on the night and raised lots of money for the appeal, and that's what fundraising is all about.

'The building of the unit is well under way and once it is completed, an overall much-improved service will be provided for cancer patients living locally.

'I would love to hear from anyone who has a good fundraising idea or would like to hold their own event to support the appeal.'

* To help out, call Alice Edmond on 01270 273528 or e-mail aedmond@macmillan.org.uk.